Dhaka: Although Dhaka University (DU) began its journey without any woman teacher or student, women currently account for over 31 percent of its teachers.

There was no woman teacher or student when the university launched its journey in 1921. Even a decade ago, the number of female teachers was very insignificant.

But, the things started changing in 2009 when the number of women teachers has seen a significant rise.

For the first time in its 96-year history, Dhaka University now has a woman pro vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Nasreen Ahmad. She has been working as Pro-VC (Academic) since June 6, 2012.

According to the DU administration, the total number of teachers at the university is now 2012, including 630 women.

In the last eight years, the ratio of men-to-women teachers' appointments has decreased to a large extent.

During the 2009-2017 period, a total of 621 teachers were appointed to the university. Of them, 195 were women. Now, the ratio between female teachers and their male counterparts is 1:3.18.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique told news agency United News of Bangladesh that teachers are appointed to the university based on merit.

Besides, those who are more skilled and competent in making presentation are given priority, he said. "The university authorities never appoint any teacher on special consideration," he said.

Arefin Siddique said their women teachers are enough qualified and meritorious. "These days women are outshining their male counterparts in all the sectors like politics, economics, education and administration," he added.

At present, the heads of DU's 16 departments are women. The departments are English, Economics, History, Psychology, Bangla, Music, Dance, Chemistry, Microbiology, Fisheries, Education and Counseling Psychology, Geography and Environment, Meteorology, Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering, Television, Film and Photography and Art History.

Besides, five institutes -- Education and Research (IER), Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Social Welfare and Research Institute, Modern Language Institute (ILM) and Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies -- have got women directors.

More importantly, female teachers are now more active in teacher politics than in the past. Prof Najma Shaheen led the pro-Awami League Blue Panel of the university teachers for a long time.

Under her leadership, the panel won 33 seats out of 35 in the last senate election held on May 22 last.

The Blue Panel also swept all the 15 seats in the last election to the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) held on December 8 last under her leadership.

Riffat Ferdous, head of DU Television, Film and Photography Department, said the stereotype concept that women are weak and that they cannot take challenge has become obsolete. "They (women) have proved their worth in all sectors."

Women are going ahead on all fronts, she said hoping that the women power at Dhaka University will encourage the other fellows across Bangladesh to come up.